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Texas AG Accuses Google Of Withholding Evidence

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – The Texas attorney general is accusing Google of improperly withholding evidence sought in an investigation into whether the company has been abusing its dominance of Internet search.

Google’s refusal to hand over more than 14,500 documents prompted Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott to seek a court order that would require the company to surrender more of the requested material. Abbott filed the petition Monday in a Texas state court.

The dispute hinges on whether the documents in question are legally protected communications between Google’s lawyers and its employees. Abbott contends Google Inc. is trying to conceal documents that don’t fall under the shield known as attorney-client privilege.

Google says it already has provided Abbott with reams of documents and will continue to respond to inquiries about its business.